[PENHALLOW] A RENIEW OF CANADIAN BOTANY 13 



Few men resident in Canada have exerted a more marked influence 

 upon the history of botanical progress in this country than the late Dr. 

 George Lawson, of Halifax. His writings were numerous and valuable, 

 and with one notable exception, wei-e more numerous than those of any 

 other Canadian botanist. He occupied important educational positions, 

 lirst at Kingston, Ontario, and later at Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was 

 through his instrumentality that the Botanical Society of Kingston was 

 oi'ganized, and it was also due to his suggestion and energy that a serious 

 attempt was made to establish a botanic garden at the same place. 



Although it has not formed a jiart of m}^ plan to refer particularly 

 to the works of those who are yet among us, I cannot refrain from making 

 an exception in one case, b}^ reason of the very prominent position his 

 work occupies in our recent progress. Until about 1850, no botanical 

 work involving special research in some of the more difficult problems of 

 the science had been undertaken here. All that had been accomplished 

 was in the study of floras and ihe classiiication of plants in accordance 

 with the then prevalent methods. About this time Dr. Dawson (after- 

 wards Sir Wm.) had his attention drawn to the study of fossil plants, 

 which he then took up with great enthusiasm, approaching the question 

 from the standpoint of the more minute anatomy of the internal parts. 

 This was the first attempt of the kind, not only in Canada, but also, 

 probably, on this continent. The introduction of vegetable paheontolog}' 

 into the field of Canadian research marked a distinct era in the hi&tory 

 of botanical progress here. Although Sir William's contributions chiefly 

 relate to fossil j)lants, they include other papers of great importance, and 

 they have now reached the astonishing total of 76,' a number just twice 

 as great as that of the next most voluminous writer.- 



We are all sensible of the important jiosition which these contribu- 

 tions occupy in our literature, and I trust Sir William Avill not consider it 

 out of place if I state that no other Canadian has ever exerted so pro- 

 found an influence upon the history of Canadian botany, especially in its 

 higher aspects. 



Arctic expeditions have continued to contribute their share through 

 the collections derived chiefly from those of Kane, Nares and Greely. 

 Foreign botanists have also continued to exercise an important influence, 

 more especially those of the United States, who have been so peculiarly 

 situated as to make direct explorations to the north, or who, from their 

 more special training and ability in the stud}' of particular groups, have 

 naturally been referred to as specialists. About the only Enghsh botanist 



1 This includes only those papers which are strictly botanical. The total given 

 is probably much below the actual figure, since I ara satisfied tliat it has been im- 

 possible to gain knowledge of the great number of widely distributed papers he has 

 written. 



"^ Dr. George Lawson. 



